The client
![Kara Connect – Logo A – RGB – Black](https://cognisys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kara-Connect-Logo-A-RGB-Black.png)
Kara Connect is a company, founded in 2015, with offices both in Reykjavik and Dublin. Originally starting as an office software provider for professionals in welfare, the company has evolved to focus on wellbeing hubs. Additionally, the team’s size had significantly expanded over the past 18 months, growing from 8 members to 25. This growth was propelled by the increase in sales of wellbeing hubs.
These hubs are tailored to their client’s needs, giving their employees easy access to professional advice on mental health, wellbeing, career, finance, and physical health. Employees can confidentially book sessions with specialised professionals through these custom-made wellbeing hubs.
![kara connect with cake](https://cognisys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kara-connect-with-cake.jpg)
The challenge
Kara Connect’s journey began when they wanted to achieve their ISO 27001 certification and invested in Vanta, an automated compliance platform, to help with this. Vanta was recommended by a professional connection, that holds Vanta in high regard.
As Kara Connect began integrating with Vanta and taking initial steps to strengthen their risk & compliance posture, the team realised they would benefit from further support to drive efficiency and help them move faster. In particular, the small size of the internal team combined with external pressure from a client to gain ISO 27001 certification as quickly as possible prompted the team to tap into Vanta’s extensive list of partners.
After evaluating three different options provided by Vanta, Kara Connect ultimately chose Cognisys as their Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) partner to help them quickly unlock the power of Vanta’s platform in their pursuit of ISO 27001 certification. The decision was influenced by the deep level of knowledge our Cognisys GRC team displayed, giving Kara Connect the confidence they needed to make the right decision. They wanted a partner capable of guiding them through the process swiftly and effectively, which Cognisys was able to provide.
![Hoping I get this work out on time. Shot of a businessman typing on his laptop](https://cognisys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/hoping-i-get-this-work-out-on-time-shot-of-a-busi-2023-11-27-05-06-18-utc-scaled.jpg)
The solution
We assisted Kara Connect in obtaining ISO 27001 certification by leveraging Vanta’s automated platform and guiding the team through the process. We made sure to stay in touch with their team regularly to make collaboration seamless. Our team worked closely with them to guide them in a practical and organised manner. John McElligott, COO at Kara Connect, acknowledged our persistence in a positive light and understood that while we warned it would be a lot of work, this was an essential part of the process.
Both teams understood that obtaining the ISO 27001 certification wasn’t just a checkbox task, but a vital requirement for a significant contract. It became the highest priority in the company at the time, which is why our GRC team made sure they stayed on track by knowing exactly what they had to do.
Our main objective was to assist Kara Connect in obtaining an ISO 27001 certification quickly and efficiently, which was accomplished through a joint effort. The involvement of the entire Kara Connect team in the collaborative effort made the project run smoothly. This shared commitment and cooperation across Cognisys and Vanta was instrumental in successfully navigating the complexities associated with Kara Connect obtaining their ISO 27001 certification.
Both teams understood that obtaining the ISO 27001 certification wasn’t just a checkbox task, but a vital requirement for a significant contract. It became the highest priority in the company at the time, which is why our GRC team made sure they stayed on track by knowing exactly what they had to do.
![ISO 27001 certification badge, by Vanta ISO 27001 certification badge, by Vanta](https://cognisys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Vanta_Compliance_ISO-27001.png)
WE ASKED KARA CONNECT TO DESCRIBE US IN THREE WORDS
KNOWLEDGABLE
“Throughout the process, we were thoroughly impressed with their expertise and the way they managed everything.”
RELIABLE
“It was very clear that they were running the show, and we simply followed their lead, handling the work as instructed.”
TRUSTWORTHY
“Everyone was genuinely impressed with working with them. That trust factor was significant; we relied on Steve and Joanna, feeling assured they had everything under control.”
Let’s make things happen
Fill in the form and one of our team will be in touch for a no-obligation discussion or quote regarding your requirements.
info@cognisys.co.uk
Leeds office
5 Park Place
Leeds
LS1 2RU
![cut out blue 1 (1)](https://cognisys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cut-out-blue-1-1.png)